Over an hour had gone by when Providence felt something touch her face making her gasp. "Ottaline, that was—"

"A breeze!" Ottaline said. She closed her eyes and filled her lungs with the fresh air which was a relief from the stench of the tunnel. "It's salty."

"We must be by the sea then," Providence said. They joined hands and hurried forward. Soon they could feel the breeze stronger and the sound of crashing waves. The tunnel suddenly opened up and the girls found themselves standing in a cave. The cave was rocky and massive rocks shot up from what could have been a smooth floor. At the mouth of the cave tall spires rose making a death trap to the entrance.

"Ottaline, I know where we are," Providence said. "Indian Cove."

Ottaline felt very dizzy. She had seen glimpses of the mouth of the cave whenever they walked the beach but people didn't go there, though the older kids sometimes claimed to. The truth was no one could get their boat close enough.

"Hey look!" Providence suddenly exclaimed. "There's stuff here. A lantern some candles and a bag."

Ottaline joined her near the mouth of the cave and saw what she had been talking about. "Look at this." She went over to the far wall where the rocks looked almost like a shelf. "Mason jars." She picked one up and held it to the light. "Looks like dead bugs." She returned the jar and went to the edge of the cave where an old cloth was draped over what looked like rocks. She flipped it back and smiled. "There's a canoe here, Rovy."

Providence joined her. "It looks new, unlike the other stuff," she said. She turned around and started for the back of the cave. "I think this was some boy's hideout. Or is." She looked up at the stalactite ceiling.

"I don't know," Ottaline said. "No one goes into Richmond Wood so how would he have found the tunnel? And he couldn't have rowed here in the canoe on his own, he would have wrecked."

Providence kicked an old sling shot to the side. "Maybe," she called from the back of the cave.

"Come to think of it there are only a few people who may know about the tunnel."

"AHHHHHHHH!"

Ottaline felt her blood turn cold. "Rovy!" She ran to the back of the cave and grabbed her sister. "What happened, are you all right?"

Providence had her hands over her face but nodded.

"Did something scare you?"

Again Providence nodded. She then pointed down to a groove in the cave wall at what at first looked like a pile of rags and rocks.

Ottaline held out the case of light and gasped, covering her mouth and tearing her eyes away from the crumpled skeleton.

"Who...who do you think it was?" Providence asked.

"I don't know," Ottaline said. "But it looks like he's been here for a long time."

"He?" Providence questioned.

"Yes, look at the vest and the shoes," Ottaline pointed out. "That's boys' clothes."

"Um, Ottaline," Providence gulped. "Who's woods where were just in?"

"The Richmonds'."

"And who's house were we just under?"

"The Richmonds'"

"And who's tunnel?"

Ottaline's mouth fell open and she looked back down at the bones. Suddenly all her fear of them evaporated and she was overwhelmed with sorrow. "Isaac."

Providence looked down sadly at the skeleton. Braided rope was coiled near the wrist and ankles. She had a horrible feeling that Isaac Richmond junior had died painfully and slowly. Perhaps he had even lingered a few days in the cave. She looked around taking a few steps back as she did until she stepped on something soft.

Kneeling down she felt the ground until her fingers touched burlap. "Ottaline." She flagged her sister over. When the light shown down she realized that what she had stepped on was sticking out from under a boulder. The sisters exchanged glances then together they pushed.

The boulder grated against the rocky earth as it slid out of place revealing a hole. When they had it moved enough the sisters dropped down to their knees and looked into the pit filled to the brim with sacks.

Ottaline gave one a poke. She then gripped it at the top and with help from Providence pulled it out of the hole. Without hesitation they opened the sack and their mouth's dropped. The light from the glowing vial danced on the blood red coins.

"This is it," Ottaline said. "This was what Isaac Richmond died for." She glanced in the direction of his bones.

Providence looked toward the mouth of the cave and frowned. "Hard to believe this has been here all this time. But if this is Indian Cove then shouldn't we be able to see the light house beam from here?"

Ottaline gasped. She had forgotten the mission. They were both suddenly interrupted by a blood curdling scream from the tunnel followed by a torrent of swears. They quickly pushed the rock back into place and hid at the back of the cave with the single sack.

Not much longer after that, Ishmael Richmond came staggering into the cave with a bear trap clasped on his leg. He screamed and groaned as he pried it open and tossed it aside with a loud clank. He saw briefly to his wound before going over to the large boulder near the center of the cave.

"Evening, Isaac," he snickered then pushed the boulder aside. He reached into the pit and started taking out the sacks of gold.

Ottaline peeked over the rocks just as he had finished unloading the pit. She watched as he went over to the canoe and lowered it into the water and then proceed to toss the sacks in. "He's crazy," she whispered to her sister. She went to peek again but her hands fumbled the case. She caught it but let out a gasp.

Ishmael paused in what he was doing and looked around. "Who's here?" He demanded taking his pistol from his pocket. "You better show yourself."

Ottaline covered her mouth and closed her eyes as he walked closer toward them.

Providence looked around. There was nowhere to run. No escape. No way out! She grabbed hold of Ottaline and hugged her. If they were to die like Isaac then at least they could go together.

Ishmael stepped into view and smiled. "Well, well, well. If it isn't Sabbath's little rats." He pulled back the hammer of his gun as the girls cowed in the corner. "You look so much like your mother I think I'll shoot you first." He looked at Providence. "But then, it would pain you more to see your sister die." He aimed the gun at her. "I should have never left you to die in the snow."

Ottaline screamed.

Providence closed her eyes waiting the inevitable when a wild billow echoed through the cave bouncing off the walls.

Bach slammed Ishmael with his antlers sending him rolling to the mouth of the cave.

Ishmael rolled onto his knees as the bull elk charged him striking him again and knocking him into the canoe. He grabbed the oar and swung at the animal causing himself to fall back. His weight upset the canoe and it pushed off from land into the shaking sea.

Providence and Ottaline rushed to the mouth of the cave and each held Bach back as the canoe bobbed into the night. They watched Ishmael Richmond fight between the rocks and back it safely away from the cove.

"He's going to get away!" Ottaline said.

Providence shook her head and pointed. "The tide. It's taking straight to False Light Peak."

Ottaline looked again and indeed the man was now struggling against the waves. She could hear is frightened gasp as he fought to stir the weighted canoe. Closer, closer. He drifted toward the rocks. Closer, closer, closer...

"Don't look Providence!"

A scream rang out followed by a loud smash. When the girls looked again nothing remained of the canoe and nothing remained of Ishmael Richmond.

/

"Mistress Richmond, I've packed all your clothing but would you like me to pack your coats too?" Hattie asked. "It will be turning cold in New York before long."

"Do what you wish, Hattie," Ida said from where she looked out her bedroom window. "And go ahead and carry these things downstairs." She pointed to the hat boxes.

Hattie picked up the boxes and started for the door. She stopped and turned around. "I'm sure Master Esau is just fine ma'am. He'll be home in a bit." The lights flickered and both women looked up.

"Has it stopped raining?" Ida asked as she gazed out the window.

Hattie stared at her for a long time. "I'll...I'll go check." She walked out the room and down the stairs.

Ida went over to the table by her bed and took out her browning. Esau should have sent her word by now. She knew she shouldn't worry and that he would chide for doing so, but she would rather be safe. She stepped out of her room and looked up at the flickering lights.

"Blasted things." She started partway down the stairs. "Hattie, find some candles!" she shouted.

The little maid came rushing around the corner. "What was it that you said, Mistress?" She paused and her eyes went wide as she starred up the stairway.

"I said find some candles we..." Ida frowned. "What are you gawking at?"

"Mistress?"

"Yes?"

"Where you expecting company, Mistress?"

"No, why?"

Hattie gulped. "Because there is lady with a sword on the stairs behind you."

Ida turned around and screamed like a banshee. She stumbled back and lost her footing. Suddenly a hand thrust out and grabbed her. She looked at the cloaked figure and at the darkness where a face should have been. "No!"

"I'm not going to kill you, Ida," the shrouded woman spoke. She pulled Ida forward so that she stood on her own feet. "I'm not like you."

Ida grabbed her chest and heaved. "You're...you're not a ghoul."

Long gloved fingers pulled back the hood and when Ida saw the face looking back at her she let out another scream. "Brigit?"

"Yes, the very one who you tried to kill all those years ago," Brigit said. "I've come back with the judgment for your family's crimes."

"Esau won't stand for you talking to me like this. He loves me."

Brigit nodded. "I know he does. It was the only thing he ever did right but he may not be so loving toward you when he finds out just how desperate you were to have children. You remember...what I threatened to tell him about that day you tried to slander me? It was the eve of the day you tried to kill me if that helps."

Ida suddenly remembered the gun in her hand. "I hate you, Brigit!" she hissed. "Everyone in town loved you, a squaw child, more than me! Just Like Isaac!" she raised the gun.

Brigit drew her bayonet and sent the weapon flying. Ida turned to run but forget she was on the stairs. Brigit turned away as the woman took the plunge down coming to a stop at the middle landing.

Brigit walked down until she stood over the moaning lady. "Hattie,"

Hattie smiled. "Brigit, you're alive."

"Hattie," Brigit said again. "Take care of this shameful woman." She flipped up her hood. "Take care of yourself." She fled out the door into the darkness with the beach as her destination.

/

Bach sped from rock to rock leaving a streaming glow of golden light in his path as he carried the two girls to the light house.

"Faster, Bach!" Providence urged him on. They mounted the rocks where the lighthouse perched and Ottaline began climbing. "I'll wait down here."

Ottaline nodded and ran up the stone steps with both hands tightly gripped on the wooden case. When she reached the top she could barely move her legs. The ocean was a black mass but that was not what caught her eye. There was no fire burning at False Light Peak. She turned to the open sea and lifted the lid of the case hurriedly when she saw the outline of the ship in the moonlight. She shook the vial with all her might but it was such a little light to guide a ship.

"Ottaline, hurry!" Providence shouted up. "They—" She paused when she saw a glow coming from the shore. It was much too low to be the peak. It was soon joined by another glow and another and still another until it was bright enough that she could make out people standing on the coast.

Ottaline stared at the appearing light then she turned back to the ship. Flash backs started, she saw the wreckage, the gold in the cave with Isaac's bones, her father's poorly marked grave, her mother, Mr. Heritage... She trust arm out and sent vial careening over the edge with a prayer that something would happen.

The glass smashed into the rocky water below and left a golden spot on the water. Ottaline felt her heart sink. "Stop!" She shouted to the ship. "Stop, you're...going the wrong way." She closed her eyes. When she opened them again she saw a glow. A glow like the sun but it was too early for it to be coming up and it wouldn't rise beneath her feet.

"Ottaline!"

Ottaline looked down and as clear as day she could see providence waving as the water around them lit up and the glow spread all around. She ran down the steps and climbed over the rocks rejoining her sister.

"What is it?" Providence asked. "How is that happening?"

"It's a chemical reaction," Ottaline said dipping her hands into the water. When she lifted them out they were covered in glowing droplets.

The ships horn tore through the illuminated light. Cheers could be heard from the shore where people could now very clearly be seen.

"It worked!" Providence shouted. "They're turning to Laurie." She fell on her sister and hugged her as the golden water around them swelled and surged.

"It's blood gold, Rovy."

"Huh?"

"Life's blood saved by gold," Ottaline said then she hugged her sister tighter. "Bach." she said climbing up onto the stag. "Take us home."

Providence laughed and climbed on in front of her. "Take us across the sky." Bach trotted down from the rocks and skipped on the land bridge toward the shore.

"Rovy, what was the surprise you were going to tell me?" Ottaline asked.

Providence laughed. "You mean you didn't guess? Faster Bach, Faster." They raced toward the shore where all the citizens stood watching the ship stir safely toward Laurie.

When Idris saw the girls coming up the beach he hurried to them and embraced them. "I was so worried about you two. And look, you're glowing."

The sister's looked down at themselves and at Bach. Having been sprayed with the glowing sea they resembled cherubs.

"Let there be light!" Ottaline laughed.

"Did you get my note?" Providence asked.

"I did. You two were really brave," Idris said. They three turned to watch the ship go.

"So beautiful," Providence said.

"I wonder what sort of cargo it was carrying this time," Ottaline said.

"Well we'll let the authorities take it from here," Idris said. Raised voices made them all turn around to see a body being pulled from the waves.

Providence shuddered and Idris put his hand on her shoulder. "Envy can make a person do crazy things."

Ottaline watched an officer cover the body with a sheet then turned back to the glowing ocean. He had wanted gold and he paid for it with his life blood just like his brother had done when trying to stop him. Justice had heard their cry and listened.